Klinische Wochenschrift
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Klinische Wochenschrift · Dec 1981
Case ReportsDecreased production or increased turnover of antithrombin III in severe acquired coagulopathy?
During the course of severe coagulopathy in an infant suffering from septicaemia and shock, antithrombin III levels were determined repeatedly before and during substitution therapy with human antithrombin. By mathematical analysis of these data, using a biexponential function, the plasma elimination half-life of the antithrombin III was estimated to be 7.5-10.5 h. ⋯ The estimation of the plasma elimination half-life of antithrombin III helps to differentiate decreased production from increased consumption in cases of severe coagulopathy. Thus, a more precise diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation can be made whilst taking advantage of substitution therapy and avoiding the hazards of radioactive tracer proteins.